Young AFCEANs Raise Money for National STEM Programs

October's 10th annual Fiscal New Year Networking Event brought together more than 100 government and industry professionals to raise money for the Challenger Center. For 30 years, the Challenger Center has delivered science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs reaching more than 250,000 students annually through 43 Challenger Learning Centers. The chapter's Young AFCEANs have supported the Challenger Center since 2013. Simulated STEM missions at the center combine hands-on activities, role-play, simulation and group collaboration to achieve an inspirational goal, such as finding life on Mars. The chapter's Young AFCEANs have invested in a program to transform the powerful education in Challenger Learning Centers into a classroom-based program. The program will increase the reach of the Challenger Center by millions of students. The networking celebration was a popular event, with featured guests Jennifer Hoover of the Department of Homeland Security; Jonathan Benett, Kristi Boswell and Francisco Salguero of the Department of Agriculture; Jimmy Jones of the Department of Transportaton; and Brendon J. Johnson of the Department of the Interior.

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